Big steps for little Lauren thanks to FIFURZ

Kirkcaldy-based charity FIFURZ has made a donation of two pieces of equipment which are set to change the life of a Cowdenbeath Primary school pupil.

The charity, which is made up of 21 Zumba instructors from across Fife, held a fundraising event at Templehall Community Centre in September to raise money for seven-year-old Lauren Ferguson, who was born unable to walk unaided.

The Zumbathon raised the £900 that Lauren’s parents Craig and Lisa needed to purchase both a Kaye walker and ‘Upsee’ which enable Lauren to walk alongside an adult.

Mum Lisa said: “Lauren was born with an undiagnosed condition. We recently discovered she has front left lobe brain damage, but that isn’t connected to her lower limb condition – she can’t weight bear. It’s unexplained as of yet.

“Doctors just don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s been classed as a medical mystery since she was born. Everybody’s confused.”

It was Lisa’s mum, Lynn Nisbet, who attends a Zumba class run by Lesley Cochrane of FIFURZ, who had applied for the funding.

Lesley said: “We just feel grateful that we’re able to help. It’s just giving back to the community because they all come to our classes.”

Lauren’s dad Craig said the family were delighted with the equipment: “We can’t thank FIFURZ enough. They’re probably the only group that would have done anything for us.

“I’m a proud person and I don’t really like to ask but, when you do get the help, you have to sit back and say, well I’ve got two other kids, I can’t just go out and spend around £900.”

Lisa added: “You’ve no idea the huge impact this is going to have on Lauren’s life.”

The next FIFURZ Zumbathon is in aid of Glenrothes Food Bank on January 25 from 10.00 a.m. at Balbirnie House Hotel.